ComScore

26 Side Dish Recipes That Pair Perfectly with Pasta

burrata asaparagus salad recipe
Eyeswoon

Pasta pairing 101: Keep your sides light and fresh. So we found some fun veggie dishes and salads (there’s no boring piles of lettuce, don’t worry) to balance out that fettuccine. And because it’s OK to break the rules, we threw in a few cheesy, carb-heavy creations, too. All that’s left for you to do? Crack open a bottle of crisp white wine and say “prego.”

kale salad persimmons crispy chickpeas fried shallots recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

1.

Kale Salad with Persimmons, Crispy Chickpeas and Fried Shallots

It basically cancels out the carbs.

keto sheet pan chicken rainbow veggies recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

2.

Keto Sheet-Pan Chicken and Rainbow Veggies

Pairs perfectly with spaghetti and marinara.

the creamiest brussels sprouts in universe recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

3.

The Creamiest Brussels Sprouts in the Universe

One of the best side dishes ever created.

greek wedge salad recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

4.

Greek Wedge Salad

Instead of ranch, these beauties are topped with light and tangy vinaigrette.

green goddess wraps recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

5.

Green Goddess Wraps

Pretty much our new favorite way to eat veggies.

dairy free butternut squash fondue recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

6.

Dairy-Free Butternut Squash ‘Fondue’

For when you feel like sharing.

gluten free cheese and cauliflower breadsticks recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

7.

Gluten-Free Cheese and Cauliflower ‘Breadsticks’

Carbs on carbs? Zero judgment.

roasted beets pistachios thyme recipe
Salt and Wind

8.

Roasted Beets with Pistachios and Thyme

It’s even tastier if you let it sit in the fridge overnight. (Grazie, Coterie member Aida Mollenkamp).

light and tangy slaw recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

9.

Light and Tangy Coleslaw

An unlikely combo, but try it. (You’ll love it.)

burrata asaparagus salad recipe
Eyeswoon

10.

Burrata and Asparagus Salad

Light and cheesy? Win-win.

zucchini rice recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11.

Zucchini Rice

Because sometimes even we need a break from cauliflower.

asparagus caesar salad recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

12.

Asparagus Caesar Salad

Not a single shred of lettuce in sight.

crispy roasted artichokes recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

13.

Crispy Roasted Artichokes

Ooh, you’re fancy.

classic stuffed peppers recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

14.

Classic Stuffed Peppers

An oldie but a goodie.

new caprese salad recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

15.

The New Caprese Salad

All that’s missing? Two glasses of crisp white wine.

avocado fries recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

16.

Avocado ‘Fries’

The best part? No deep frying necessary.

spring panzanella salad recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17.

Spring Panzanella Salad

The best way to use up day-old bread.

eggplant parm bites recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

18.

Eggplant Parm Bites

Because it’s essential to maintain the Italian theme, right?

sesame ginger roasted whole carrots recipe
Feed Me Phoebe

19.

Sesame-Ginger Roasted Whole Carrots

Coterie member Phoebe Lapine guarantees they’ll pair well with your favorite pasta.

stuffed eggplant recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20.

Stuffed Eggplant

Music to our…stomachs.

chilled cucumber salad recipe
Erin McDowell

21.

Chilled Cucumber Salad

Crisp and refreshing.

crispy mushrooms recipe
Erin McDowell

22.

Crispy Mushrooms

Olive oil + garlic + vinegar = savory perfection.

brussels sprouts three ways recipe
The Mom 100

23.

Brussels Sprouts 3 Ways

Roasted, pickled and raw shaved.

apple chicory salad fennel radish walnuts recipe
Bojon Gourmet

24.

Apple Chicory Salad with Fennel, Walnuts and Grana

Pretty in pink.

chicken satay coconut peanut sauce recipe
Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

25.

Chicken Satay with Coconut-Peanut Sauce

Skewer it and it definitely counts as a side.


heathgoldmanheadshot 1

Food Editor

From 2017 to 2019 Heath Goldman held the role of Food Editor covering food, booze and some recipe development, too. Tough job, eh?